[A general murmur of polite satisfaction.
[A general murmur of polite satisfaction.
Mr. Wackerbath.
[Advancing towardsPringle.] I'm sure I'm very pleased to hear it, Mr. Pringle! Especially as it permits us to hope that we may still have the—ah—pleasure of your company.
[The others echo this sentiment in a somewhat half-hearted manner.
[The others echo this sentiment in a somewhat half-hearted manner.
Pringle.
You're extremely kind—but I think perhaps I shall be better at home.
Mrs. Futvoye.
[In a motherly tone.] I'msureyou will, dear Mr. Pringle. Whatyouought to do is to go to bed and get a good night's sleep.
Mr. Wackerbath.
[Obviously relieved.] Ah, well, I won't insist—Iwon't insist. Perhaps you will give us some other evening?
Pringle.
[With extreme stiffness.] I'm obliged to you—but I dine out very seldom. Good-night. [He crosses toMrs. Futvoyeand shakes hands with her, and bows toMr.andMrs. Wackerbath,after whichMr. WackerbathtakesMrs. Futvoyeup to the glazed balcony to see the river, which by this time is in bright moonlight, theProfessor,after having said good-night toPringle,following withMrs. Wackerbath.Pringlethen turns toSylvia,who is standing on the extreme left.] Good-night, Miss Sylvia. May I offer my congratulations? I can only hope that you may be as happy—as happy as—aspossible.
[Faint waltz music is heard from the restaurant.
[Faint waltz music is heard from the restaurant.
Sylvia.
[Quietly.] Thanks so much, Mr. Pringle, I think Ishall. [Giving him her hand.] Good-night.
[She goes up and joins the group in the glazed balcony.
[She goes up and joins the group in the glazed balcony.
Pringle.
Good-night. [He turns toHorace.] One moment, Ventimore!
Horace.
Oh, I'm coming to the door with you, old fellow.
[He is about to go up with him, whenPringledetains him.
[He is about to go up with him, whenPringledetains him.
Pringle.
I only wanted to ask you this. [Lowering his voice.] Whereisthat Jinnee of yours now?
Horace.
[Standing by the sofa by fireplace.] Well,—do you see that patch of silver on the water just above the bridge—[pointing to the left]—where they're all looking?
Pringle.
Yes, I see that. Whataboutit?
Horace.
Only that, somewhere under that patch, old Fakrash is lying, snugly curled up inside his bottle.
Pringle.
[Incredulously.] What!
Horace.
I happen to know, because I dropped it there myself this afternoon inside a kit-bag.
Pringle.
Well, I must say I'm glad you've got rid of him. And—er—you can rely on me to keep quiet about it for the future.
Horace.
[Drily.] My dear chap, I feelsureI can.
Pringle.
[Going up to the door on right above the arch.] Good-night. [Disconsolately.] I shall go and get something to eat at an "A.B.C."
Horace.
[Going up with him.] Good-night, old fellow. It's rough on you, but I did mybest!
Pringle.
[Turning on him with resentment.] You needn't have told 'em I'd hadthreeteeth out! Good-night.
[He goes out,Horaceclosing the door after him. Waltz music from restaurant on right. After he has gone,Mr. Wackerbathand the others turn from the river as theSecond Waiterenters and places a slice of melon on each plate.
[He goes out,Horaceclosing the door after him. Waltz music from restaurant on right. After he has gone,Mr. Wackerbathand the others turn from the river as theSecond Waiterenters and places a slice of melon on each plate.
Mr. Wackerbath.
Oh, ready, eh? [TheFirst Waiterenters and intimates that dinner is served.] Then shall we sit down, Mrs. Futvoye? [He goes to the chair at the top of the table with his back to the balcony, and placesMrs. Futvoyeon his right.] Professor—[asMrs. Wackerbathtakes the chair at the bottom of the table, facing the river]—on my wife's left, please. Sylvia, my dear, next to me. [Sylviatakes the chair onMr. Wackerbath'sleft;Horacestill standing.] And you, Mr. Ventimore——[Observing that there are two places.] Stay, there'ssomethingwrong. Oh, of course![To theFirst Waiter.] Take away that chair, it won't be wanted now—the other gentleman has gone.
First Waiter.
Gone! De gentleman vat give so moch trouble? He vill not come back?
Mr. Wackerbath.
Come back? [ToHorace.] You don't think your friend is likely to dothat, eh, Mr. Ventimore?
Sylvia.
Oh, Ihopenot!
[The others assent fervently.
[The others assent fervently.
Horace.
[Pausing in the act of taking the sixth chair.] It's all right. My friend—[with a glance at the bridge on the left]—the gentleman who gave so much trouble, is—[with a slow smile of deep satisfaction]—not in the least likely to come back!
[He sits down bySylviaas another and a louder burst of waltz music is heard from the restaurant and the curtain falls.
[He sits down bySylviaas another and a louder burst of waltz music is heard from the restaurant and the curtain falls.
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